Live Scoring and Great Paddle Mark the 2011 Midwesterns

JANUARY 17, 2011
CINCINNATI, OH

Court Lines Turn Pink to Support Cancer Cure
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This year the Midwesterns was a combination of tradition and innovation: tradition in the wonderful local hospitality and the impressive array of platform tennis talent; innovation in the new APTA live scoring system that allowed players and fans to keep track of the tournament in real time.

The women started things off on Friday and by the end of the day it was down to the top seeds. In the final, second seeded Mary Doten and Nancy Budde defeated the top seeded locals Heather Prop and Lynne Schneebeck.

A few men's teams played first round matches on Friday afternoon, but the action truly began Saturday morning. The eight seeded teams read like awho's who of the men's rankings, and they all held to the quarter finals. In the quarter final, second seeded and perennial Midwesterns favorites Flip Goodspeed and Scott Mansager were bested by Peter Berka and Drew Eberly. Berka-Eberly proceeded to beat Drew Broderick and Chris Gambino in the semis before meeting Mike Cochrane ans Scott Estes in the final. On their way to the final, Cochrane-Estes took out Mike Marino and Brian Uihlein, and Marty Engel and Todd Martin. Cochrane-Estes won the title 6-2, 4-6, 6-3.

Court Lines Turn Pink

Over the years, the overall court color has changed from its original brown and green to green and purple. One this has remained the same, the white lines. But this year's Cincinnati Midwesterns tournament provided another opportunity for Jason Gray (Four Bridges Racquets Professional) and David Dodge (Premier Platform Tennis) to go "out of the box" and do something unique to honor those who have been affected by cancer in various ways. So, before the start of the tournament, lines on one of the courts at Four Bridges Country Club were painted PINK by Premier to show their and the tournament's commitment and support of research to find a cure for cancer. The Charity chosen this year was the Wellness Group of Greater Cincinnati which assists and supports cancer patients and their families in the Cincinnati area.

Not only were the pink lines a first for the sport, but thanks to Mark Kebe, The Wellness Group, Wilson Racquet Sports, and Flip Goodspeed, the tournament was able to provide every player with a pink overgrip and encouraged each to wear during the weekend.